World Health Organization ON HIV
According to World Health Organization ON HIV, there were approximately 36.9 million people living with HIV at the end of 2017, with 1.8 million people becoming newly infected in 2017 globally. 52% of adults, and 52% of children living with HIV were receiving lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART) in 2017. Global ART coverage for pregnant and breastfeeding women living with HIV is high at 80%. It is estimated that currently only 75% of people with HIV know their status. In 2017, 21.7 million people living with HIV were receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) globally. This is obvious evidence that there are a good number of people living with HIV are unaware, may also be unconsciously spreading the virus. In Ghana, HIV/AIDS prevalence rate increased to 2.9% in 2009 and dropped to 2.0% in the subsequent years. A policy action particularly in the area of education campaign and other HIV/AIDS programmes is required to promote significant behavioural change to sustain the decline.
Challenges
There are a number of challenges facing a probable achievement of an AIDS-free generation for every child and adolescent. The HIV epidemic continues to have a disproportionate impact in Ghana and Africa at large. There is a high level of stigmatization and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS, coupled with misconceptions about the disease. Gender issues are vital tackling the HIV/AIDS epidemic especially in cases where women are powerless in relation to their counterpart due to poor economic empowerment and negative social norms which subject them to the will of their partners. There is an absence of a vibrant unit under the Ghana AIDS Commission to coordinate national response. There is an urgent need to diagnosis and link children and adolescents to treatment in time to save their lives. New HIV infections among adolescents are projected to decrease by 29% between 2018 and 2030, which is not enough to meet the global targets. The rapid population growth in our regions has created a rising cohort of adolescents and young adults, and combined with slow progress in HIV prevention in young populations—the epidemic seems far from over. According to UNICEF, projections show that at the current rate of HIV incidence, without acceleration of efforts and investment, a total of 2.0 million adolescents could become newly infected with HIV between 2018 and 2030. This situation is particularly dire for all adolescents, who are key members of the population census.
Solutions
The AIDS 2014 conference was notable for the launch by UNAIDS as well as related strategies with the target of eliminating AIDS by 2030. This included a 90-90-90 campaign outlined in the report detailing new targets for testing and treatment. The target refers to three key steps that are essential to both better healthcares for HIV positive people and to limiting new infections and further spread of the HIV pandemic.
90% of all people living with HIV should know their status. Currently, 19 million people globally are estimated to be HIV positive and are not aware of their HIV status.
90% of all those who are diagnosed of HIV positive to be on sustained antiretroviral treatment (ART). While global access has advanced tremendously, with over 14 million people on treatment, double this numbers should be eligible for treatment in low- and middle income countries based on WHO 2013 guidelines that recommend a CD4 threshold of 500 cells/mm3 to initiate treatment. Using a “test and treat” model, increases the number of people eligible for treatment to 34 million. The emphasis on “sustained” ART is to ensure that supply of medicines is no longer vulnerable to stock-outs.
90% of those on ART having an undetectable viral load. This highlights both the importance of wider access to viral load monitoring and the importance of viral suppression as a major goal of ART. This also recognizes the dramatic reduction in transmission risk once viral load is undetectable.
information/education and services
strengthen HIV services
In helping to achieve these three targets, HRN is working in partnership organizations, such as PPAG through information/education and services (HIV testing & Counseling and referrals) in deprived communities. Apart from collaborating with other organizations, we would provide technical assistance to government to strengthen HIV services and to scale up HIV infant testing through some innovative point-of-care technology with funding and support from donor agencies.
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